Links of Interest – 10/24/2011

The Root featured a stellar piece by Kellee Terrell on being Black and Transgender, documenting high rates of poverty, legally sanctioned employment discrimination, elevated rates of homelessness and harassment, and a prevelance of sexual and physical assualt. The report also noted high rates of attempted suicide, which are disturbing, but not suprising given our climate of hatred.

There’s a fascinating conversation in the comments at Jezebel about Sarah Silverman’s new special “Live from Niggerhead: Stripping the Paint Off Good Ol’ Fashioned Racism” and the sticky racial politics of comedy.

Interesting considering our previous convos on terms and appropriation: Johnny Depp likens being photographed to being raped. Great analysis at the Awl. (Aside: I used to do string work for a tabloid – while I wouldn’t say it’s like being raped, but it is definitely an assault – I was on the side behind the photogs and it was still really painful to watch happen. And that was at a sanctioned press event. I can’t imagine what this is like day in and day out. I don’t think that is similar to rape. However, I do know that I better not hear a single objection to Depp’s analogy from so-called feminists who argued in favor of the Slutwalk sign. Because yes, it’s the same idea – that you have the right to appropriate an experience that has not applied to you because you think it makes your point stronger.)

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Latoya, I love that you tried to tackle race issues on Jezebel, and I totally understand why you eventually said, “Screw that”. I’m in that comment thread, and another infuriating one on racist Halloween costumes, and I just have to stop. Its futile. The privilege, whitesplaining and ignorance is just too overwhelming. There are a lot of great commenters on Jezebel, but they’re fighting an uphill battle.

Middleone79

I give up on Jezebel. When race issues come up, I can’t tell the difference between Jezebel and Stormfront. Good luck with that, Dodai.

Anonymous

To produce all this racism with no racists has to rank among the greatest magic tricks of all time.

http://dirty-diana.dreamwidth.org/ d

The Root piece is called “Black and Transgender”? You’ve changed the title a bit here and it’s my understanding that the “ed” changes the word enough to make it offensive to some.

Anonymous

Did I? From the Root’s own site…

Black and Transgender: A Double Burden A recent report confirms that they face extreme discrimination and poverty.

By: Kellee Terrell | Posted: October 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM

If it’s wrong, let me know, but I am amused at my own nefarious copy and paste skills…

http://dirty-diana.dreamwidth.org/ d

Sorry to comment again, but I found a blog entry that clarifies the problems with the specific word that you used in this entry (transgendered). I figured it has to be a clearer explanation than I gave so I’m passing it on in case you’d like to check it out.

Thank you for linking the article on the confusing ways N. Korea is framed in the Western imagination. I agree, it’s a great deepthink that illustrates the near impossibility of rendering a nuanced picture of N. Korea, but urges readers to try and synthesize testimonies or evidence from whatever side as best one can anyway.

Mickey

Regarding the video: For people who are not racist, they are certainly displaying the familiar symptoms of racists.

Race, Culture, and Identity in a Colorstruck World

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Racialicious is a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. Check out our daily updates on the latest celebrity gaffes, our no-holds-barred critique of questionable media representations, and of course, the inevitable Keanu Reeves John Cho newsflashes.

Latoya Peterson (DC) is the Owner and Editor (not the Founder!) of Racialicious, Arturo García (San Diego) is the Managing Editor, Andrea Plaid (NYC) is the Associate Editor. You can email us at team@racialicious.com.